Annie’s Helping Hands: Lifting Hope
Lifting Hope: Annie’s Helping Hands Achieves Major Milestone for Kerr County Flood Recovery
In a powerful demonstration of community collaboration, Annie’s Helping Hands – one of the key organizations operating from the Kerr Together Disaster Relief Center – recently celebrated a major victory in flood recovery efforts by successfully lifting the first home out of the floodplain. This is real impact for real families – brought about by broad-based commitment and plain hard work in problem solving.
Founded by Paul Bobo and Michelle Bruninga in the wake of the July 4 flood, Annie’s Helping Hands has become a beacon of hope for Center Point residents. Named after beloved teacher Miss Annie, who taught three generations of students and lived to 99 in what is now Annie’s River Cottage, the foundation embodies the spirit of service that defined her life.
Outstanding Work & Impact:
Annie’s Helping Hands identified a critical gap in disaster assistance: elevation certificates and home lifting costs that fall between the cracks of traditional aid programs. Working collaboratively with community partners including King’s Ransom, the foundation has:
- Funded 17 elevation certificates at $1,000 each—essential first steps for homeowners to obtain permits and financial assistance
- Completed the first home elevation for Mike Blackledge (owner of Toucan Jim’s restaurant), raising it three feet to meet Base Flood Elevation requirements
- Mobilized community support from local officials, FEMA representatives, volunteers, and multiple partner organizations
This milestone represents what’s possible when community comes together. As Bruninga noted at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, “This is about lifting hope out of the floodplains.” Kerr County is moving forward at “incredible speed compared to other disaster recoveries,” a testament to the collaborative spirit driving recovery efforts.
The Power of Collaboration:
With an estimated 25-30 homes needing elevation in Kerr County (totaling approximately $1.5 million), Annie’s Helping Hands continues to coordinate with the Kerr Together network and other community partners to meet this critical unmet need.
Learn more or support this vital work at annieshelpinghands.org/donate
